Originally published in Personal Defense, Fall 2011 Special Edition.

Let’s be a safe and responsibly armed nation. 

According to FBI statistics on firearms background checks, there has been a surge since 2008, which probably translates to a significant increase in firearms ownership. Many of these people may be first-time firearms owners, which raises new concerns over safety. In stressful economic and political times like these it is imperative that all gun owners, particularly those new to firearms, obtain suitable training. Appropriate classes are available for every level of gun owner, and paramount to making a surge in gun ownership successful is ensuring first time owners complete beginner courses that include basic safety.

The following statistics regarding gun sales are from the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) data base. A NICS check is conducted each time a person attempts to purchase a firearm. Each background check may result in one or more gun sales or none at all, so the data serve as more of a gauge than a precise measurement. The number of NICS checks processed this year increased each month in relation to the same month in 2008. March 2011 showed a 39.3% increase from March 2008. These numbers are not reported by gender; however, surveys are conducted by certain agencies which supplement such figures. One extensive survey was recently completed by NSSF (National Shooting Sports Foundation), which polled firearms retailers across the country.  According to Frank Briganti at the NSSF, 70% of the retailers reported that the number of female customers increased while 20% responded “remained the same”. Only 1% reported a decrease in sales to women and the rest could not make the determination. Further questions in the survey were directed toward discovering the driving factors behind the increase in gun sales. Briganti reports that the results showed personal protection and regulation expectations are driving sales for all shooters including an 80% increase in sales to women for personal protection alone. With these numbers and reasons in mind, I attended a female-oriented handgun training course for the purpose of this article to discuss the importance of such instruction. In the process, I discovered that firearms training can be not only empowering, but downright fun.

Gun safety was ingrained in me since I was a little girl. My father, Dick Williams, has been involved in the world of firearms most of his life and has made a name for himself in the industry with his own articles and expertise. Though I never embraced his passion for hunting, I grew up target shooting and we share an enthusiasm for handguns in particular. We also share a love for writing – his in the gun industry and mine primarily in golf – so when I proposed an article on this topic to him over dinner one night while visiting, he tossed it back to me reasoning that I could offer a more appropriate perspective on the subject.  I immediately began looking into local training facilities. When I visited Taran Butler, a world champion shooter who offered to show me how he would train a group of women with varied levels of handgun experience, I jumped at the chance.

Butler’s credentials would fill an entire page, but to summarize, his expertise and primary focus are in fast, accurate shooting. While he does not conduct formal training to the public, he sometimes instructs small groups designed to make good shooters better, and occasionally instructs some lucky beginners as well. He had a few women of different backgrounds and skill levels eager to take a course, so he put me in a class with them and designed a modified curriculum to suit all our needs.Butler enlisted the assistance of his friend Maggie Reese, also a champion shooter, to work with the women in the class. The session lasted 3 hours, and from beginner to seasoned shooter, each of us learned and improved.

Many training facilities will provide firearms for use in their sessions or allow the use of one’s own gun(s). Such was the case with Taran Butler. I had just picked up my new Smith & Wesson M&P after the waiting period and wanted to get comfortable with it, so I brought it to the class. The other women used Butler’s 1911s, Glocks and Sigs. The introduction, (or sales pitch if you will,) was short, as the women didn’t seem to care as much about the differences in models and manufacturers as they did about getting some hands on experience. Butler proceeded to basic safety and handling, working with one person at a time as the rest of us watched and learned. It didn’t take long for the actual shooting to begin. Butler and Reese took turns working with each of us, instructing at the appropriate level to our experience. In the comfortably warm outdoor setting, we shot at targets set at multiple distances, posing varied levels of “threats.” As the day went on, we continued to load, shoot, clear malfunctions and shoot some more, all the while getting more comfortable and secure with our weapons. Some of us improved our speed and accuracy as well. We eliminated the steel and cardboard bad guys and saved the lives of hostages. Okay, so a couple “hostages” were collateral damage in the learning process, but ultimately we discovered and cultivated our capabilities so that we may protect ourselves and our families from danger.Butler also employed the use of an audible timing device and made us perform in front of the group (which included male range assistants and a photographer) to add pressure to the scenarios and help simulate a fraction of the stress of an actual threat.

One of the women in the class had never held a gun until that day. Perhaps she was the only person there who was surprised at how naturally she would take to it. Like many first time female shooters, her grip and stance came from an innate sense of what feels right and was (to the rest of us, not surprisingly) naturally good form. Without any preconceived notions or affected movie macho bluster, the women just seem to be more ready to learn and settle into good habits from the start. Butler enjoys instructing women because of this, and says he finds that they often outperform the men because of those basic differences.

The other three women were also relative beginners, but they had shot before. They didn’t own their own guns and two of them had never loaded one or cleared a malfunction on their own. By the end of the session, they were deftly handling their weapons with confidence (and, might I say, style). We were all smiling when the training concluded and were eager to shoot again. Empowered and confident, perhaps the students will now obtain their own pistols knowing they can handle their own personal protection.

After the session was over, we were treated to demonstrations by Butler and Reese showcasing their fast and accurate shooting skills. It was impressive to say the least. Then Taran let me run through a few timed scenarios that he and Maggie were performing. I have to say that was the most fun part of the day for me. Having previously only shot while standing still, it was exciting to move and take cover and shoot fast to take out the “bad guys.” Taran and Maggie encouraged me to get involved in competitions, and it’s tempting. I’m definitely competitive by nature and it’s certainly exhilarating enough. I could see myself becoming almost as consumed with shooting as I am with golf. Hmmm!

Every new gun owner should go through a hands-on training course. Without the experience, knowledge and confidence gained from such a class, gun ownership can be dangerous for the individual and counter-productive to personal protection. More seasoned shooters can benefit from training as well, and should consider periodic refresher training to sharpen their skills. There are plenty of training courses conducted locally across the country which aren’t difficult to find. There are the well known leaders such as Gunsite and Thunder Ranch, plus the NRA has an Education and Training Division with certified instructors at retailers and ranges all over the United States. You can also ask around at local law enforcement facilities for referrals. Classes can range from a few hours to several days, and from under $100 to over $1000. Find the one that’s right for you or someone you care about and sign up today. Or just ask around and you may find an international champion like Taran Butler conducting classes just around the corner.